"You will think me looking for another Sepoy likeness," said the
Colonel, "but I am sure I have met this young lady or her twin sister
somewhere in my travels."
"It is a satire on conventional pictures," said Rachel.
"Now, I remember," he continued. "It was when I was laid up with my
wound at a Dutch boer's till I could get to Cape Town. My sole
reading was one number of the 'Illustrated News,' and I made too good
acquaintance with that lady's head, to forget her easily."
"Of course," said Rachel, "it is a reminiscence of the painting there
represented."
"What was the date?" asked Alick Keith.
The Colonel was able to give it with some precision.
"You are all against me," said Rachel, "I see you are perfectly
determined that there shall be something wrong about every performance
of the F. U. E. E."
"No, don't say so," began Fanny, with gentle argument, but Alick Keith
put in with a smile, "It is a satisfaction to Miss Curtis."
"Athanasius against the world," she answered.
"Athanasius should take care that his own foot is firm, his position
incontrovertible," said Ermine.
"Well!"
"Then," said Ermine, "will you allow these little pictures to be
examined into?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Look here," and the Colonel lifted on the table a scrap-book that Rose
had been quietly opening on his knee, and which contained an etching of
a child playing with a dog, much resembling the style of the drawing.
"Who did that, my dear?" he asked.
"Mamma had it," was Rose's reply; "it was always in my old nursery
scrap-hook."
"Every one knows," said Rachel, "that a woodcut is often like an
etching, and an etching like a woodcut. I do not know what you are
driving at."
"The little dogs and all," muttered Alick, as Rachel glanced rather
indignantly at Rose and her book so attentively examined by the Colonel.
"I know," repeated Rachel, "that there is a strong prejudice against Mr.
Mauleverer, and that it is entertained by many whom I should have hoped
to see above such weakness but when I brought these tangible productions
of his system, as evidence of his success, I did not expect to see them
received with a covert distrust, which I own I do not understand. I
perceive now why good works find so much difficulty in prospering."
"I believe," said Alick Keith, "that I am to have the honour of dining
at the Homestead on Monday?"
"Yes. The Greys spend the day with us, and it is Emily's due to have a
good sight of you."
"Then will you let me in the meantime take my own measures with regard
to these designs. I will not hurt or injure them in any way; they shall
be deposited here in Miss William's hands, and I promise you that if I
have been able to satisfy myself as to the means of their production,
Simon Skinflint shall become a subscriber to the F. U. E. E. Is it a
bargain?"